📋 Quick Overview
- 💰 Application Fee: AUD 4,640
- 💼 Visa Type: Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)
- ⏱️ Processing Time: 6-12 months
Ready to immigrate through employer sponsorship? This employer nomination 186 document checklist lists all required documents for 2026.
With the government’s reduction of the TRT work requirement from three to two years and the removal of occupation restrictions, the 186 visa is now more accessible than ever. At VisaTasker, we help both employers and nominees navigate this process.
📄 Three Streams of the 186 Visa
Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream — For current or former 482 visa holders who have worked for their nominating employer for at least two of the last three years.
Direct Entry Stream — For applicants who have not worked in Australia on a 482 visa. Requires a skills assessment, at least three years of relevant experience, and the nominated occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).
Labour Agreement Stream — For workers sponsored under a labour agreement between the employer and the Australian Government.
⚠️ Eligibility Requirements
- ✅ Under 45 years of age at time of application (exemptions may apply for certain academics, scientists, or DAMA applicants)
- ✅ Nominated by an approved Australian employer
- ✅ Meet skills, English, health, and character requirements
- ✅ Meet stream-specific requirements (TRT: 2 years work; Direct Entry: skills assessment + 3 years experience)
📄 Employer/Nomination Documents
The employer must provide:
- ✅ Evidence of approved standard business sponsor status (or apply concurrently)
- ✅ Detailed Position Description — consistent job title, full-time hours, specific duties matching the ANZSCO code, required qualifications
- ✅ Organisational chart showing the position within the business
- ✅ Employment contract reflecting the nominated position, salary, and conditions
- ✅ Evidence of genuine need for the role — business records, growth projections, contracts
- ✅ Evidence that salary meets the threshold — the TSMIT (currently AUD 76,515 from July 2025) or the market salary rate, whichever is higher
- ✅ Labour market testing evidence (for Direct Entry stream — job advertisements placed within four months before nomination)
- ✅ Compliance evidence — the employer must demonstrate adherence to workplace relations laws, safety regulations, and Fair Work guidelines
📄 Applicant Documents: TRT Stream
Identity
- ✅ Current valid passport
- ✅ Birth certificate
- ✅ Passport-sized photographs
Employment Evidence (Critical for TRT)
- ✅ Evidence of two years of full-time work for the nominating employer while on a 482 visa — employment reference letter, payslips, bank statements, tax returns, superannuation records
- ✅ Evidence that the work was in the nominated occupation or a closely related occupation
English Language
- ✅ At least Competent English (IELTS 6.0 in each band or equivalent)
- ✅ Passport holders from the UK, USA, Canada, NZ, or Ireland may be exempt
Health and Character
- ✅ Health examination via panel physician (HAP ID from ImmiAccount)
- ✅ Police clearances from every country you lived in for 12+ months in the past 10 years since turning 16
- ✅ AFP check
Family Members
- ✅ Passports, birth certificates, relationship evidence for all included family members
- ✅ Health and character documents for all family members
- ✅ English language evidence for partner (Functional English or pay second VAC)
📄 Applicant Documents: Direct Entry Stream
All the documents listed above for the TRT stream, plus:
Skills Assessment
- ✅ Valid skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for the nominated occupation
- ✅ Must be current at the time of application
Employment Evidence
- ✅ At least three years of relevant full-time work experience
- ✅ Reference letters with specific duties, dates, and hours
- ✅ Payslips, tax records, and bank statements
Qualifications
- ✅ Degree certificates and academic transcripts
- ✅ Trade certificates or professional registrations
- ✅ Certified translations for non-English documents
📄 Common Reasons for Refusal
Incomplete employment evidence. Missing dates, vague duty descriptions, or gaps in payslip records are the most common issues. Provide precise, consistent evidence across all documents.
Salary below threshold. The nominated salary must meet the TSMIT or market rate. Provide evidence such as industry salary surveys or job advertisement comparisons.
Poorly matched ANZSCO description. The position description must closely align with the relevant ANZSCO code. Generic descriptions raise red flags.
Expired police clearances. AFP checks are only valid for 12 months. Time your clearances so they are current at decision time.
💰 Costs
The base visa application charge is approximately AUD 4,770 for the primary applicant. Additional charges apply for included family members. The Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy is payable by the employer — AUD 3,000 per year for small businesses or AUD 5,000 per year for larger businesses.
⏱️ Processing Times
TRT stream applications are generally processed faster than Direct Entry, with many decision-ready applications finalised within 6 to 12 months.
📄 VisaTasker: Your Partner in Permanent Residency
The 186 visa is the final step to permanent residency for many employer-sponsored workers. Getting it right means preparing comprehensive evidence, ensuring the employer meets all obligations, and lodging a decision-ready application.
Ready to Get Started?
Our MARA-registered agents will handle everything for you.
📞 Book a Free Consultation*Disclaimer: This blog post provides general information only and does not constitute migration advice. Requirements are subject to change. Always verify the latest requirements on the Department of Home Affairs website or consult a MARA-registered migration agent.*
📚 Related Visa Document Checklists
Disclaimer: This blog post provides general information only and does not constitute migration advice. Visa requirements are subject to change. Always verify the latest requirements on the Department of Home Affairs website or consult a MARA-registered migration agent.
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Reviewed by VisaTasker Migration Services
MARA Registered Migration Agent · MARN 2318017
This article is written and reviewed by VisaTasker Migration Services, a MARA-registered migration agency based in Australia. As registered agents, we are bound by the Migration Agents Code of Conduct and required to provide accurate, up-to-date advice based on Australian migration legislation. Information is reviewed against the latest Department of Home Affairs policy.
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